Help for students - Get your homework done quickly

Most of us get homework to complete after school and see if we understand the work we did in class.  

Nobody likes doing homework the whole time, but sometimes it can be fun and if we understand the work, we get it done quickly.  That is not the same story if you are not focused or do not understand the work.

Lets have a look at how you can help yourself to be more focused and do what needs to be done, so that you can have more time for yourself.

There are three very important things that you need to remember in order to help you get through your homework.

Get yourself and and the things around you in order

Make sure you have your pens and books that you will need.  Pack out everything that you have to do and then start at the top of the pile.  Do not jump around from one thing to another or sit in a room where everything is lying around or you have to get up the whole time to find something.  If you are organized and you know where everything is, you can complete your work faster.

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• make sure your books and binders are labeled correctly that you will know in which one which papers must go or where you will find certain information
• get your desk in order - the more things that are lying around, the more distractions you will have and the more time you will spend looking for stuff
• do not do your homework on your bed, but rather sit at a desk, this will keep you awake and focused
• make a list on a calendar or planner when you are writing tests or have to hand in projects.  That way you will see how much time you have to complete it and also be sure not to forget anything
• use a diary to write down your homework every day and as you complete it, you can tick it off
• nothing will happen if the work or project is due in a week and you finish it before the time - the more you finish the less you will have to do at the last minute

Now you need to focus

It is easy to be distracted by things you will rather like to do.  You need to put a time limit on how long you will work before taking a break.  If you decide on 20 minutes, it means you have to focus for that time and only once you have done that you can take a break and do something you like before you carry on again with your homework.

• switch off your phone for the time you need to focus
• some people like doing homework while the radio or TV is on, but this can be a distraction, so rather switch it all off and focus on the work
• start with one piece of homework and do it step by step until it is completed.  If you struggle with the work, take a break, stop thinking about the problem and then go back again and try again.  Do not just give up
• if you are done with your break, try and focus on your work as quickly as possible again before your next break comes around

Just do it and get it done

Halfway through your homework you may feel like giving up, but do not budge.  If you carry on step by step, you will get it done and you will still have time to do something you like.  The longer you procrastinate, the longer it will take you to finish it.  So sit down, organize yourself, concentrate and 'just do it'.

• make sure your work is done neatly and you have tried your best so that you do not have to re-do it
• once you are done with a specific piece of work, put it back in your backpack or in the correct folder that you will be able to find it again
• if you are done with all your work, make sure that you feel proud of yourself.  It is always a good characteristic to be able to start something and see it through to the end and not just give up halfway through

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If you get stuck with any of the work you are doing or do not understand what to do, ask your parents or friend for help.  If they cannot help you, make a not so that you can ask your teacher the next day to explain it to you again.  Do not just leave it.  

If you do not ask, you will get behind and homework will become very frustrating.

    

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